The Flaming Lady of Hay Arthouse was set up in 2020 in the depths of the Covid pandemic to be a sanctuary of inspiration, hope, creative discovery and free thought. Our mission has been to champion (predominantly) female artists in a not-for-profit arts venture, tell stories, spark discussion, connect people and help keep the legacy of Richard Booth burning bright.
Over the years The Flaming Lady has done this in abundance, exhibiting and promoting a wealth of artists, giving the community the revelry of Rebel and Misfits events, celebrating Hay’s Independence and launching the now coveted Flaming Lady of Hay Award. Four years after opening the tiny, crooked Art House on Castle Street, the winds of change began to blow and it set sail on an exciting new chapter in its story. ​
Now that the Flaming Lady has left her harbour and is bouncing along on the high seas she is free to focus on developing the Rebels & Misfits events, with surprise pop-up exhibitions and celebrations of the legacy of King Richard Booth and the courageous and impressive women of Hay.
The Flaming Ladies Rebels and Misfits events have been taking place at The Hay Distillery for the past three years. Its inviting and beautiful space steeped in heady aromatic scents and intriguing narrative, provides a fitting place to connect more directly with the community. At these events the legacy of the Flaming Lady can continue to grow in a celebration of art, music, frivolity, free thinking and rebellion.
“I'm so grateful for the opportunity and support you've given to me over the years, it's made a huge difference to my confidence and was the main driving factor
behind my Masters”.
Callous Creations
"Thank you so so much for being so welcoming and encouraging over the last 4 years, I am beyond grateful to have been a part of this magical snippet in time. The fact you wanted to sell my stuff still blows my mind, so thank you again for that opportunity! You’re the best!!!"
Her Mother the Mountain
"Well done you and the team for everything. I have been so proud to be part of Flaming Lady over the last few years”
Jane Farringdon
Our Quest
To champion female artists
In response to the current stark inequality of representation of creative women within the Art World, the Flaming Lady has a mission to particularly champion female artists. Our online art shop and pop up exhibitions continue to present exciting, predominantly female artists' work across the mediums.
To keep the legacy and spirit of Richard Booth alive
King Richard is not only one of the inspirations behind the Flaming Lady concept, both he and his motivational 'battle plans' were also the inspiration behind our Kingdom Project.
Richard named his successor during one of the Kingdom Project meetings and asked us to work together to protect and continue his legacy. His successor, the new King of Hay honoured us by opening the Flaming Lady Art House in 2020. Appearing for the first time in his fabulous new crown made by King Richard's great-niece and metal sculptor Jess Gill.
Richard Booth was a visionary whose legacy is hugely significant; he is credited for turning what was an unremarkable border town into a place that has a world-renowned reputation as a town of books and as a place of creativity and free thought. On April Fools' Day in 1977 Richard Booth marched down the street in Hay and declared Hay to be an independent sovereign state and himself the king of it. It was a declaration against the corporate and against bureaucracy, a celebration of cohesive independence that triumphs diversity and difference.
Flaming Ladies – to celebrate incredible women of Hay
Working with local Historian and Artist Mari Fford, we are striving to uncover and retell the stories of the extraordinary and mostly forgotten historic female icons of the area – from past and also present times.
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